A&M International Honors Outstanding Student Clubs
Outstanding student organizations at Texas A&M International University were recognized during the Fifth Annual University Life Awards ceremony and reception held recently in the University's Great Room. The awards ceremony and reception were sponsored by A&M International's Office of Student Development and the Student Government Association.
A&M International President Dr. Charles Jennett, provided the welcome for the award ceremony, with opening remarks given by Mary Treviño, Associate Vice President for Student Services and Betty Momayezi, Executive Director of Student Life. Emcees for the event were David VerMilyea, Director of Student Development, Gabriela Mendoza-Garcia, Associate Director of Student Development, and Alfredo Santos IV, Student Government Association officer.
University Life Awards were presented in six categories: Outstanding Community Service, Most Active Student Organization, Most Outstanding Sponsor, Leader of the Year, Freshman Excellence, and Coolest Shirt.
Recipient of the Outstanding Community Service Award was the A&M International Dance Club, which performed 574 hours of community service during the academic year. Other nominees in this category included the Student Accounting Society and the Student Nursing Association.
The Dance Club was also named Most Active Student Organization of the Year. Other nominees included the Association of International Students. Ballet Folklorico, Baptist Student Ministries, Criminal Justice Association, High Twisters, International Business Association, and Student Accounting Society.
Recipient of the Outstanding Sponsor Award was Dance Club sponsor Bede Leyendecker. Other nominees included Lisa Morales, Student Ambassadors; Dr. Kamal Parhizgar, International Business Association; Dr. Jana Pisani, History Club; Araceli Rangel, High Twisters; Dr. Julio Eduardo Valladares, Environment Protection Society; and David VerMilyea, Association of International Students.
Jeffrey Huvar, president of Baptist Student Ministries, was named recipient of the Leader of the Year Award. Other nominees included America Baez, International Business Association; George Diaz, History Club; Eduardo Gonzalez, Environment Protection Society; Celine Lheritier, Association of International Students; Jessica Ramon, Dance Club; and Jessica Zamora, Ballet Folklorico.
Recipient of the Freshman Excellence Award was Erika Torres, member of the History Club. Other nominees included Mike Herrera, Student Ambassadors; and Enrique Lobo Jr., Environment Protection Society.
The Coolest Shirt Award, for the official club shirt which best promoted the organization, was awarded to the Student Ambassadors. Other nominations in this category were the Ballet Folklorico, Criminal Justice Association, High Twisters, Pre-Law Society, and Student Nurses Association
Award recipients were selected by a committee comprised of one University administrator, one faculty member, and one student representative . Selection committee members were Veronica Gonzalez, Dr. Juan Homero Hinojosa, and Indira Barrera.
For more information on the University Life Awards, call the Office of Student Development, 326-2280, or visit offices in the Kinesiology/Convocation Building room 107. University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday -Friday.
Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu